This stage sees four categorised climbs, and in theory the toughest of those is the day’s only Category 1 climb, the Puerto de Mijares. In reality, it’s the final climb, the Category 3 Alto de San Lorenzo de El Escorial that will provide the fireworks, with ramps of up to 28 per cent. Today is the first time a Vuelta stage has finished in this Madrid suburb, although it has often passed through, and among those on home roads today is Geox-TMC’s former Tour de France champion, Carlos Sastre.
GT’s tips
"It’s definitely a GC day, for sure. There will probably be an early break, and Nibali (bear in mind Nibali bruised his hip in yesterday’s crash – ed)or one of the others might send one of his guys up the road so they are there for him on that final climb, which will suit a pure climber – Igor Anton, Scarponi or even someone like Dan Martin if he’s kept himself out of the wind and is targeting today. But definitely a pure mountain goat."
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